Vacations

The Hammock Goes Unused Even On Vacation

 

Vacations are nice; but, don't be misled. Vacations can be very busy times. In fact, mine are usually so busy that there is rarely time to even write my morning blog!

There is a hammock in the backyard that has Spanish Moss hanging all over it. It has gone unused for years. I have thought about cleaning it up. But, then there would go any time I have to rest.... I have a feeling that my blogs throughout my vacation time will be very short.

"And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done." Genesis 2:2

God's Peace - Pr. J

Deliver Us From Evil

The Seventh Petition.

But deliver us from evil.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from all manner of evil, of body and soul, property and honor, and at last, when our last hour shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself into heaven.

Amen.

What does this mean?--Answer.
That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and has promised that He will hear us. Amen, Amen; that is, Yea, yea, it shall be so.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

In this petition we pray that we be kept from all evils that plague this world. Martin Luther in the Large Catechism wrote: "But this petition he has put last, for if we are to be protected and delivered from all evil, his name must be hallowed in us, his kingdom come among us, and his will be done. Then he will preserve us from sin and shame and from everything else that harms or injures us."

 

Therefore; all of the petitions in the Lord's Prayer must be prayed with a sincere faith that God hears our prayers and answers. We cannot expect to be kept from evil if we do not revere God's name which is who and what He is; if we do not desire to live in his kingdom; or if we do not desire that his will be done among us here on earth. His will is for our good. If we do not desire his will to be done, how are we to expect that we are to kept safe from the evil one? It would be tantamount to jumping into a bonfire and expect not to get burned. Of course, all things are possible with God. But, it's probably not the best idea to be testing him. Jesus wouldn't, why would we think we can or should?

 

So we pray the Lord's prayer with faith and all God's people say Amen - that's the way it is. We give thanks for in His mercy He has heard our prayers and answered.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do not Steal: Stealing and Semantics

The Seventh Commandment.

Thou shalt not steal.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor's money or property, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and business [that his means are preserved and his condition is improved].
(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

Recently, I spoke with a woman who swore that she had never stolen any money. She was quite adamant, in spite of the fact, that she had been convicted of credit card fraud. She could not relate stealing to using someone else's identity to obtain credit cards. Frankly, this conversation was pretty frustrating. It is beyond me how someone can steal something, get caught, go to prison and still deny that they have ever stolen anything. Of course, this person did not claim to be a Christian. But, she does claim to be a "good" person because according to her she has never stolen (paper) money. Semantics! It sort of reminds me of my grandchildren. I use to make the mistake of asking them who they were talking to when they were busy on their cell phones. Their response was usually "no one." Of course, they weren't talking to anyone. They were texting or messaging. Now, I ask, "With whom are you communicating?" That seems to cover most everything they might be doing on their phones. Semantics!

Semantics won't make one less a thief. Either you have stolen from someone or not. It's best to be "Not!" It is also best not to be compounding the sin by lying about it. Confess and live in a way that brings peace and harmony to life with your neighbors. As Christians, we are not only commanded to not take our neighbor's property or money; we are to do all that we can to help our neighbor keep his or her property and even improve it. Whenever we do anything unjustly that would cause our neighbor to lose use or possession of his property we are stealing whether we end up with physical possession of the property or not. All the semantics in the world will not justify our sins. Only the blood of Jesus will justify.

May God help us to help and support our neighbors.

God's Peace - Pr. J